Interim manager promoted to lead Costa Mesa recreation

Costa Mesa has again looked inside City Hall to fill a vacant leadership position, tabbing Justin Martin as recreation manager.

Martin has filled the position on an interim basis since the departure of Travis Karlen, who resigned in March to become community services superintendent for the city of Irvine.

On Monday, Martin said he was “humbled to have been selected to lead the Parks and Community Services Department.” He joined Costa Mesa in December 2014 as its recreation supervisor.

“I want to help the community be active and healthy and I want them to create long-lasting memories through participation in our programs, events and at our centers,” Martin said. “I want to encourage my team to continue to provide the best program offerings for the most people, regardless of age, economic status or other barrier.”

Tamara Letourneau, Costa Mesa’s assistant chief executive officer, said Martin brings “many years of experience in recreation” to the position.

“He has shown the ability to create a vision and lead a team to accomplish that vision with the utmost professionalism, integrity and creativity,” she said in a statement.

Martin’s appointment is the second time in recent weeks that a City Hall vacancy has been filled internally. Earlier this month, longtime city employee Bart Mejia was promoted to city engineer.

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Luke Money, lucas.money@latimes.com

Twitter: @LukeMMoney